Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

June 15th, 1944

Citation:
"Captain REE went out into the field on 14th April 1943, as assistant to an organiser in the centre of FRANCE. Although his knowledge of the French language was not perfect, he volunteered for this dangerous task, and after the arrest of his commanding Officer in the field, carried on with great daring. He was pursued by the Gestapo and managed to elude them by gaining sanctuary in SWITZERLAND, into which country he passed by a line which he had himself found.

After a few weeks recuperation he proceeded again into France and founded a new circuit with local help. He gained contact with the management of the PEUGEOT factory, and arranged with them to put their factory out of action for six months. The factory was duly sabotaged on 5th November 1943, and again in the month. Captain REE personally assisted at the operations."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1945

Citation:
"This officer was appointed an officer in the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) on 16th June 1944 for his work on a secret mission in France.
A great deal of urther evidence has now come to light particulary in connection with the damage done to the Peugeot factories at Montbelliard and Sochaux.
Captain REE organised, directed and personally led the sabotage attacks on these factories between 5th November 1943 and 3rd March 1944. The attack on the cebtrifugal compressor in the compressor room necessitated his crawling up to the ducts under conditions of the greatest danger and physical strain. The compressor was completely destroyed. In the same operation Captain REE and his men destroyed a large lathe in the heavy machine shop.
Later he and his men attacked and destroyed a new compressor while it was standing on a lorry in the works yard. He also put out of action a jog borer, another compressor, a two-drill borer, the washing tower of the gas producer plant, the foundry sand dryers and the body work transformers, and destroyed a thousand tyres in the tyre depot. These activities were planned and co-ordinated with the Peugeot management by Captain REE who personally led the attacks and, on one occasion, only escaped under heavy small arms fire by swimming a canal.
He was twice wounded, but escaped.
The result of these attacks was that these Peugeot factories, which produced tank parts and aircraft engine components for the enemy were made completely un-productive for five months and only started producing on a small scale in 1944.
After a short time spent recovering from his wounds, Captain REE again started to direct sabotage activities in this area. His prestige and authority were enormous and his activities have become legendary. He did not cease from his work until the liberation of France.
For his outstanding gallantry, his diplomacy in getting the Peugeot management to co-operate in his sabotage activities, and for his devotion to duty over a long period, it is strongly recommended that Captain REE be appointed a Companion in the Distinguished Service Order."
Signed: Colin Gubbins, Major-General. 14-6-45.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With Palme.